Pacifica Mission Statement from the Proposed By-laws

Pacifica Radio in Crisis: PAC Statement Released August 17th, 1999 for the National Day of Action

Mission Statement from the proposed by-laws.

The objectives and purpose of KPFK shall be in accordance with the Pacifica Foundation's "Mission Statement" found in the Pacifica Foundation's Articles of Incorporation (1948), the text of which follows:

~ To establish a Foundation organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member of the Foundation.

 

~ To establish and operate for educational purposes, in such manner that the facilities involved shall be as nearly self-sustaining as possible, one or more radio broadcasting stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and subject to the regulatory actions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

 

~ In radio broadcasting operations to encourage and provide outlets for the creative skills and energies of the community; to conduct classes and workshops in the writing and producing of drama; to establish awards and scholarships for creative writing; to offer performance facilities to amateur instrumentalists, choral groups, orchestral groups and music students; and to promote and aid other creative activities which will serve the cultural welfare of the community.

 

~ In radio broadcasting operations to engage in any activity that shall contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms.

 

~ In radio broadcasting operations to promote the full distribution of public information; to obtain access to sources of news not commonly brought together in the same medium; and to employ such varied sources in the public presentation of accurate, objective, comprehensive news on all matters vitally affecting the community.

PACIFICA RADIO IN CRISIS:

Released August 17th, 1999, National Day of Action

The Pacifica Accountability Committee (PAC) joins with Pacifica supporters across the nation to support the KPFA/Berkeley community and to demand an end to the Pacifica Foundation's "gag rule" at KPFK and other Pacifica stations. The "gag rule" is a form of censorship being enforced by the General Manager of KPFK and some other station managers to prevent the airing of Pacifica governance changes and other station issues which vitally affect their communities. Pacifica no longer enforces the "gag rule" at KPFA because nearly one hundred people were arrested and 15,000 demonstrated in support of its removal. PAC joins with the Berkeley community in its additional demands for democracy, accountability and free speech.

It is PAC's belief that at the core of the ongoing crisis at Pacifica Radio is the structure of an insular and self-perpetuating National Board. Our sense of mission derives from the original Pacifica Mission Statement, augmented in spirit and intent by our "Proposed By-Laws for KPFK and Pacifica Radio Stations" (see www.pacfolio.org).

We call for:

DEMOCRACY

• Immediate resignation of all Pacifica National Board members and Executive Director Lynn Chadwick.
• New elections of Pacifica National Board members by reconstituted Local Advisory Boards.
• Listener-sponsors electing all KPFK Local Advisory Board members (except for representatives of staff and volunteers).
• Restoration of an annual review of the KPFK General Manager by the Local Advisory Board.
• An end to all union-busting activities at Pacifica stations.

FREE SPEECH

• An end to the unjust "gag rule" and the rehiring of those suspended or fired for defying it.
• Establishment of diverse, substantive programming reflecting the vital interests of the KPFK community, with special efforts to include women and people of color.
• Foregoing of all outside funding sources, including CPB funding, that could compromise unfettered free speech.
• Adoption of a legally binding agreement that no Pacifica station shall be sold or encumbered.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Rescinding of Pacifica's so-called "Five-Year Plan" (which makes Pacifica stations even more dependent on large contributions).
• An end to spending subscriber money on spin doctors and hostile takeover specialists.
• Establishment of a regular written report from Pacifica to the listener-sponsors.
• Making available of Pacifica National Board meeting minutes on-line or, upon request, printed.
• Opening of Pacifica's budgets & financial records -- audit and publish once per year.
• All local stations to publish their "Folio" as mandated in the by-laws.
• Re-establishment of "Report To The Listener" -- unscreened, uncensored listener call-ins at consistent, announced times.
• Enactment of written program policies: adhering to the principles of the original Pacifica Mission Statement, programmer tenure issues and FCC regulations.
• Opening of KPFK's financial books, publish the quarterly budget & audit once per year.
• Regular polling of listener-sponsors.